The European Union is evaluating the possibility of sending military advisors directly to Ukraine as part of the existing EU training mission aimed at preparing Ukrainian troops. However, this step faces objections from Hungary.
This was stated by Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto following a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, as reported by “European Truth.”
Hungary opposes EU advisors in Ukraine
“They [EU – editor] want to send military advisors to Kyiv – within a mission that was previously established for the training of Ukrainian soldiers,” said the Hungarian Foreign Minister.
He reminded that Hungary does not participate in this EU military mission and only supports it on the condition that the mission's activities take place outside of Ukraine. Szijjarto noted that conducting training of Ukrainian troops by EU instructors directly on Ukrainian territory “poses a serious risk of escalating the war.”
“For us, this is a red line,” he added.
The EU's high representative for foreign policy, Josep Borrell, during a press conference following the Council meeting, confirmed that the training mission was discussed, although he did not disclose details about the potential sending of advisors.
He reminded that the existing mission has already trained over 73,000 Ukrainian troops.
“Thus, today we also discussed what more we can do regarding missions. Should we expand the mandate of the missions we have to also contribute to the security guarantees of the coalition of the willing?” asked Borrell, linking the possible expansion of the mission with the activities of the “coalition of the willing,” which is discussing additional support for Ukraine.
Hungary blocks the opening of the first negotiation chapter on Ukraine's path to the EU.
Poland insists on starting the negotiation process regarding Ukraine's EU membership.
However, Hungary's veto makes the opening of the first chapter highly unlikely before the end of Poland's presidency.
The Hungarian Minister for EU Affairs, Janos Boka, stated that Budapest disagrees with the current version of the EU's conclusions regarding Ukraine.
Boka emphasized that the formulated conclusions of the European Union contradict Hungary's national interests in several key strategic areas.